San Diego: A Golden City

INTRODUCTION
During the early to mid-1500's, Portugese born Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo while exploring the coast of California ~ sailing under the Spanish flag ~ guided his flagship San Salvadore into what is now known as San Diego Bay. His goal was to discover a trade route between the North Pacific and the North Atlantic. In addition, like other explorers of his era, he hoped to find the fabled "Seven Cities of Gold," or the Seven Cities of Cibola. Little could he possibly know that his efforts would eventually result in the founding of a city that, by the twentieth century, can be easily perceived itself as a genuine "Golden City," and the destination of millions of visitors a year.

Tall Ships on the Bay

One of my favorites, this image was taken from the Embarcadero looking southwest with lighting from the golden late afternoon winter sun. It offers a hint of what might have been seen during the early years of California exploration. No indications of contemporary civilization are visible in this photograph.

Fishing on Golden Pond

A golden sunset casts its warm glow on the water of Lake Murray in East County as two friends are seen fishing during the waning hours of a summer's day.

San Diego Balconies

I like balconies because they offer not only a sense of local architecture, but also a public view of a private space, where the mind is free to wander and speculate about the mysteries that might lie within without the voyer's guilt.

San Diego Dusk

San Diego at dusk is a favorite time for photography. The soft tones convey a sense of solitude and serenity, and the promise of a new tomorrow.

Old Point Loma Light House: Cabrillo National Monument

"The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point." Courtesy National Park Service. In the second image, the spiral staircase leading to the top is taken from the ground floor looking upward, reminding one of a Chambered Nautilus with its gnomic spiral geometry. The light house keeper used this small living room (third image) for relaxation and reading during off hours. The lighthouse is adjacent to the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma.